More movement in local channel

Mar 10, 2008

As the jockeying for dominance in the local channel continues, Axiz and Drive Control are the latest distributors to announce significant new vendor partnerships.

Axiz, which has had a recent spate of announcements around HP product sets, has now signed up to distribute Acer's server and EasyStorage ranges, while Drive Control (DCC) has secured the rights to SMC's full range of networking products.In a statement, Mark Forbes, Acer server, product manager at Axiz, says: “We have always believed in the value and power of the Acer brand and are delighted to extend our offering to the channel.”He adds that Acer’s standard three-year – next business day – warranty is also a significant value-add for the channel. The server range includes single processor servers as well as dual and quad XEON offerings. In addition to servers, Forbes says, Axiz will also be offering EasyStorage – a solution which allows even the smallest business to be able to back up or create networked storage within minutes.“Not only do you have the functionality of a normal networked attached storage, but also the option of backing up your PC or notebook as an image,” says Forbes. “This allows you direct functional access to your data as if it was on your PC or notebook in the event of a system failure,” he says.Pierre Holtzhausen, networking specialist at DCC, says that the company's signing of SMC will result in the local market having access to a wider variety of product sets from a single supplier. He adds that SMC specialises in solutions for the SMB and the home and small office (SoHo) environment. It also includes enterprise solutions such as its core layer 2/3/4 switches with up to 8 x 48 ports, 10/100/100 Megabits per seconds (Mbps) and 10 gigabit Ethernet technology. “The agreement will allow DCC to deliver a wide range of quality, cost-effective networking solutions to our reseller base," Holtzhausen says. "Whether the requirement is for a SoHo environment or larger corporate, SMC has a range of solutions suited to each market size requirement. In addition, it will provide these resellers with a well-positioned brand that is well-known in the end user market.” Paul Luff, country manager of SMC Networks SA, adds: "We are very excited about this initiative. It is a new chapter in the growth and further establishment of SMC Networks in South Africa. Users will immediately gain from a broader product range and an enhancement of logistic services and technical support.”Luff adds that the company continues to monitor key developments within the market and is aware of the increased level of consolidation within the supply/ distribution space.“This is having an impact on resellers and systems integrators and there is definitely a mind-shift required in terms of adding value to offerings," he says. "Partnerships and strategic alliances are likely to emerge to enhance and strengthen existing product portfolios.”